How to Create Harmony in a Polarized Society
Democrat/Republican, Conservative/Liberal, White/Of Color, Tea Party/Occupier, Male/Female, Native Born/Immigrant, Rich/Poor, 1%/99% and on and on. Our society is a cacophony of “them vs. us” viewpoints and “us good people vs. those bad ones.” This session will focus on the reasons why our society is more deeply polarized than it has been in generations, what is at the heart of understanding this polarization, and, most importantly, what can be done to reach across the borders to create meaningful relationships, partnerships and organizations. The presentation will share research about the impact of media, education and current living patterns on these phenomena and will provide concrete steps that you can take in your own lives and in your communities.
Howard J. Ross
Howard Ross is lifelong social justice advocate, and is considered one of the world’s seminal thought leaders on identifying and addressing unconscious bias. Howard has delivered programs in 47 states and over 40 other countries to audiences including Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities, and major institutions within healthcare, government, and non-profit sectors. He authored the Washington Post best seller, Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives, ReInventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose and Performance. His latest book, Our Search for Belonging: How the Need for Connection Is Tearing Our Culture Apart, published by Berrett-Koehler in 2018, received the Nautilus Gold Medal for Social Change and Social Justice. His next book, Building Belonging: 9 Pathways to Creating Inclusive and Joyful Organizational Communities, will be published in 2020.